Eric Ponio joined the South Florida football staff in January of 2026 as assistant linebackers coach on Brian Hartline’s first Bulls staff.
Ponio came to USF after four seasons at South Alabama (2022-25). He served his first two seasons as assistant quarterbacks coach under head coach Kane Womack and the final two seasons as special teams coordinator under head coach Major Applewhite.
In 2024, South Alabama kicker Laith Marjan was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist and Jamaal Pritchett ranked as the No. 4 punt returner in the nation averaging 15.25 yards per return.
Prior to South Alabama, Ponio served on the Liberty staff for three seasons, starting as a graduate assistant before being promoted to a defensive quality control position and defensive/special teams analyst. He worked directly with Liberty’s linebackers, plus all four phases of the special teams units
He helped the Flames post an 8-5 record in their first full season at the FBS level in 2019. Liberty defeated Georgia Southern in the FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl, becoming the third team in NCAA history to win a bowl game during its first season at the FBS level.
Ponio began his coaching career at Arkansas as a defensive graduate assistant (2016-18).
He graduated from Arkansas with a bachelor’s in business administration in accounting (2017) and a master’s in operations management (2019).
A native of Chicago, Ill., he was a fullback on the Arkansas Razorbacks football team (2013-14).
COACHING CAREER
2026- South Florida (Assistant Linebackers Coach)
2024-25 South Alabama (Special Teams Coordinator)
2022-23 South Alabama (Assistant Quarterbacks Coach
2019-21 Liberty (Senior Offensive/Special Teams Analyst)
2016-18 Arkansas (Defensive Graduate Assistant – Linebacker & Safeties)
